Furnace grate structure



. Jan. 9, 1945. "J. F. MASTERS FURNACE GRATE STRUCTURE Filed April 9, 194a l l l /ll/ lll I l I ll/Il/ /I ll I w 7 w o a 3 n I M l- /w/v m 3 I 777 Patented Jan. 9, 1945 is PATEN We mimics GRs rEsTRUoTuRE John Franklin Masters, Winston-Salem, N. o. Application April 9, 1943, Serial No. 482,463 3Clai ns. (01. 126-163) The invention relates generally to furnaces and primarilyseeks to provide a novel grate adaptable for use in furnaces or like structures and in which provision ismade for improving combustion of the fuel mass supported on the grate and also for facilitating removalof ashes l and clinkers from said mass.

In its more detailed nature the invention seeks to provide a novel grate structure comprising a p perforate plate-like body having acircularopening therein through which ash and clinkers can be discharged, and aperforate opening closure l elementnormally mounted over the opening and including a convex surface receivable in said 7 opening. and displaceable from the opening to permit discharge of ash and clinkersdownwardly through said opening. s s s Another object of the invention is to provide a grate structure of the character stated in which the closure element comprises a hollow perforate walled spheroid. f

Another object of the invention is to provide a grate structure of the character stated in which the perforate plate-like body is dished downwardly toward the circular opening.

With. the above andother objects in View that will hereinafter appear, thenature of the inven tion will be more fully understood byfollowing the detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing: s n t Figure 1 is a detail perspective view of. the grate per se.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross. sectional viewillustrating a conventional form of 1 ing flange II by radial ribs I3 suitably spaced apart to provide draft air and fine ash passing openings [4 therebetween, one or more sets of f intermediate ribs Id also being provided between 5 1 the radially disposed ribs in the manner clearly t p s l illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The central opening provided in the ring 12 is designated 16 and ture is dished downwardly toward the central openinglfi.

provides a passage through whicli ash and clinkers can be discharged; It will be observed by reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing that the plate-like body comprisingthe grate struc- The central grateopening I6 is normally closed by a hollow, perforatewalled spheroid generally designated IT. The displaceable' spheroid may be composed of a plurality of half ring ribs l8 extending around thesp heroid in one direction, and a plurality of intermediate ribs Hljoining the ribs l8 'and extending around the spheroid in the opposite direction. The perforate spheroid thus provided is equipped with openings for suits ably permitting passage of draft air and fine furnace with the improved grate structure mounted therein.

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the disk placeable opening closure spheroid fQl'l lllllg ,a

part of the grate structure.

In the example of embodiment of the inven 1 tion herein illustrated the improved grate structure is illustrated as mounted in a conventional form of furnace wherein is included a wall structure 5 which defines a fire pot above. the grate structure and an ash pit below, there being included the usual grate supporting flange 6, fire brick lining 'l,a fire door 8, and an ash door 9.

The grate structure per se is formed to include a; circular mounting flange jll adapted to rest upon the flange 6 or other supporting means in the furnace or stove structure in which the grate is mounted, and a concentrically disposed central ring l2 defining a central opening in the grate structure and connected with the mounte ash. i

When the grate structure including the displaceable spheroid I! is mounted inthe furnace in the manner illustrated in Figure 2 and a fire bed is built above the same, the provision of a very efficient draftis assured and efficient combustionof the fuel can be expected. When it is desired to remove ash or clinkers through the central opening IE it is an easy matter to displace the spheroid I1 by manipulation of the usual poker structure, and after the discharge of clinkers, or fclinkers and ash has been effected the spheroid I! can bereleased and will automaticallyireturn to its place in the discharge opening l6 of the grate structure as illustrated in Figure 2.

While the grate structure herein illustrated is shown as circular in shape and with the discharge opening l6 centrally disposed therein, it is. to be understood that other shapes of grate structures can be provided and the discharge opening l6 need notbeplaced centrally therein.

I claim: I l l. A grate structure for use in furnaces, stoves or the like comprising a fuel bed supporting body having apertures therethrough for the passage of draft air and fine ash and a circular opening therein through which ash and clinkers can be discharged, and a hollow spheroid freely resting in and normally closing said opening, said spheroid having apertures therethrough forthe passage of draft air and fine ash and being displaceoid having apertures therethrough for the passage of draft air and fine ash and being displaceable from the opening to permit discharge of ash and clinkers through said opening, said supporting body being dished downwardly toward the opening therein. i

3. A grate structure for use in furnaces, stoves or the like comprising a fuel bed supporting body having apertures therethrough for the passage of draft air and fine ash and a circular opening therein through which ash and clinkers can be discharged, and a hollow spheroid freely resting in and normally closing said opening, said spheroid having apertures therethrough for the passage of draft air and fine ash and being displaceable from the opening to permit discharge of ash and clinkers through said opening, said supporting body being circular in shape and having the opening therein formed in its center and also being dished downwardly toward said opening. JOHN FRANKLIN MASTERS. 

